European far-right politicians join Russian nationalists to back Putin, slam West on Ukraine

A Cossack argues with an Russia's anti-fascist activist, right, during protest near the venue of the the International Russian Conservative Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, Sunday, March 22, 2015. The poster reads ' To each fascist his Nuremberg'. Nationalist supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin brought together controversial far-right politicians from across Europe on Sunday in an effort to demonstrate international support for Russia and weaken European Union commitment to sanctions imposed on Russia over its role in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)
(The Associated Press)

A Russian anti-fascist activist holds a poster during a protest near the venue of the the International Russian Conservative Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, Sunday, March 22, 2015. Nationalist supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin brought together controversial far-right politicians from across Europe on Sunday in an effort to demonstrate international support for Russia and weaken European Union commitment to sanctions imposed on Russia over its role in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)
(The Associated Press)

Member of the European Parliament from Germany's National Democratic Party Udo Voigt speaks during the International Russian Conservative Forum in St.Petersburg, Russia, Sunday, March 22, 2015. Nationalist supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin brought together controversial far-right politicians from across Europe on Sunday in an effort to demonstrate international support for Russia and weaken European Union commitment to sanctions imposed on Russia over its role in Ukraine. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)
(The Associated Press)

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia – Nationalist supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin have brought together controversial far-right politicians from across Europe in an effort to demonstrate international support for Russia and weaken European Union commitment to sanctions imposed on Russia over its role in Ukraine.

Nick Griffin, the expelled former leader of the anti-immigrant British National Party, accused the United States of aggravating the confrontation in Ukraine. He described EU members as American "puppets" and said they had dragged Russia and others "into a terrible war."

Others involved in Sunday's forum include Udo Voigt, a senior figure in Germany's neo-Nazi fringe National Democratic Party; Roberto Fiore, leader of Italy's far-right party Forza Nuova; and members of the neo-Nazi Greek party Golden Dawn.